Yesterday
His
Excellency
the
President
opened
the
new
session
of
Parliament
and
delivered
his
State
of
the
Nation
Address
to
a
joint
sitting
of
the
Senate
and
the
National
Assembly.
At
the
same
time
he
announced
the
Government’s
legislative
agenda
for
the
new
session.
His
address
is
set
out
below,
taken
from
Hansard:
First
Lady,
Dr.
A.
Mnangagwa,
in
absentia;
Vice
President,
Hon.
Gen.
(Rtd.)
Dr.
C.
G.
D.
N.
Chiwenga,
in
absentia;
Vice
President,
Hon.
Col.
(Rtd.)
Dr.
K.
C.
D.
Mohadi;
Speaker
of
Parliament,
Hon.
Advocate
J.
F.
N.
Mudenda;
President
of
the
Senate,
Hon.
M.
M.
Chinomona;
Chief
Justice,
Hon.
L.
Malaba;
Hon.
Ministers;
President
of
the
Chiefs’
Council,
Chief
M.
Khumalo,
and
other
Traditional
Leaders
here
present;
Hon.
Members
of
Parliament
and
the
Senate;
Senior
Government
Officials;
Commander,
Zimbabwe
Defence
Forces,
Gen.
P.
V.
Sibanda;
Service
Chiefs;
Fellow
Zimbabweans
here
at
home
and
in
the
Diaspora;
Ladies
and
Gentlemen;
Comrades
and
Friends:
I
am
once
again
singularly
honoured
and
privileged
to
address
this
august
House,
marking
the
Third
Session
of
the
Tenth
Parliament
of
Zimbabwe.
The
Official
Opening
of
the
Third
Session
of
the
Tenth
Parliament
comes
in
the
wake
of
the
commemorations
of
the
SADC
Anti-Sanctions
Day.
The
sanctions
notwithstanding,
I
am
extremely
grateful
to
all
our
citizens,
including
those
in
the
Diaspora
for
contributing
to
the
grand
task
of
nation-building
in
a
peaceful
and
tranquil
environment.
The
unity,
peace
and
resilience
of
our
people
have
been
the
pillar
of
economic
development
of
our
country
in
the
face
of
the
illegal
sanctions.
Let
us
remain
focused
and
disciplined
as
we
entrench
the
current
economic
stability
and
growth
in
our
march
towards
Vision
2030.
The
national
economy
is
projected
to
grow
by
6.6%
in
2025,
anchored
on
the
recovery
in
the
agricultural
sector,
with
record
harvests
of
tobacco,
maize
and
wheat,
among
other
crops.
These
are
a
result
of
the
implementation
of
the
Agriculture,
Food
Systems
and
Rural
Transformation
Strategy.
Under
the
Strategy,
the
Pfumvudza/Intwasa
Programme
has
empowered
over
three
million
households
with
inputs.
The
livestock
sector
continues
to
grow,
with
the
national
herd
now
at
5.7
million;
while
milk
production
has
increased
from
76.7
million
litres
in
2019
to
115
million
litres
in
2024.
Through
the
Rural
Development
8.0
initiative,
boreholes
that
are
being
drilled
and
resuscitated
by
my
Administration
are
ensuring
access
to
water
for
production,
village
business
units
and
domestic
use.
The
area
under
irrigation
has
expanded
from
151
000
hectares
in
2019
to
221
000
hectares
in
2024.
We
are
well
on
course
to
reach
our
target
of
496
000
hectares.
These
initiatives
have
gone
a
long
way
in
our
quest
to
build
climate-resilience,
mitigation
and
adaptation.
Meanwhile,
the
modernisation
of
the
Grain
Marketing
Board
is
ongoing,
in
line
with
new
technologies,
with
the
construction
of
14
new
Artificial
Intelligence
driven
silo
sites
resulting
in
an
additional
750
000
tonnes
of
storage
capacity.
The
accelerated
issuance
of
bankable
and
registrable
title
deeds
for
A1
and
A2
farmers,
as
well
as
Deeds
of
Grant
for
previously
African
Purchase
Areas
is
set
to
have
transformational
impacts
in
our
agricultural
sector.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir,
Madam
President;
the
mining
sector
has
witnessed
increased
investments
in
gold,
lithium,
iron
and
steel
production.
The
commissioning
of
new
plants,
independent
power
generating
units
and
energy
parks,
among
others,
are
ensuring
that
all
sectors
achieve
targets
with
regards
value
addition,
beneficiation,
job
creation,
and
growth
of
our
Gross
Domestic
Product.
The
Mines
and
Minerals
Amendment
Bill
has
been
gazetted
and
is
expected
to
be
finalised
during
the
current
session
of
Parliament.
My
Government
is
committed
to
weeding
out
irresponsible
mining
stakeholders
who
cause
pollution,
degradation
of
the
environment
and
damage
to
critical
infrastructure,
hatizvidi.
As
we
welcome
investors
in
our
jurisdiction,
we
expect
that
they
will
adhere
to
the
Constitution
and
laws
of
our
country,
while
also
respecting
our
people,
customs
and
culture.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir,
Madame
President:
since
my
last
address,
the
manufacturing
sector
registered
a
15.3%
contribution
to
GDP.
The
success
is
attributable
to
significant
investments
in
the
steel,
cement,
dairy,
cotton-to-clothing,
and
pharmaceutical
value
chains,
among
others.
The
Zimbabwe
Industrial
Reconstruction
and
Growth
Plan,
rural
industrialisation
and
the
Community
Economic
Empowerment
Trusts
will
result
in
increased
production,
leveraging
on
our
resource
endowments.
I
urge
our
people
to
take
advantage
of
the
new
policy
approved
by
Cabinet
on
Community
Economic
Empowerment
Trusts
and
Reserved
Sectors.
My
Government
has
reviewed
licences,
permits,
levies
and
fees
as
well
as
the
multiple
regulatory
requirements
across
all
sectors
to
enhance
the
country’s
ease
of
doing
business,
reduction
of
costs
and
the
competitiveness
of
the
local
industry.
The
respective
Statutory
Instruments
and
statutes
will
be
accordingly
amended.
Tourism
is
emerging
as
a
critical
pillar
in
our
nation’s
economic
transformation.
The
sector’s
solid
performance
has
received
global
recognition
with
Zimbabwe
being
recently
awarded
the
Best
Must-Visit
Destination
in
the
World
accolade
by
Forbes
Magazine.
Accordingly,
Parliament
is
hereby
called
upon
to
expedite
the
passage
of
the
Tourism
Amendment
Bill
in
order
to
sufficiently
support
the
sector’s
growth
trajectory.
A
number
of
Independent
Power
Producers
(IPPs),
Captive
Power
Producers
(CPPs),
commercial
and
industrial
players
have
been
licensed.
Their
on-boarding
into
our
national
grid
has
increased
the
power
supply.
The
Rural
Electrification
Programme,
that
is
electrifying
both
public
institutions
and
homesteads
throughout
the
country,
is
improving
energy
access
by
our
rural
communities.
No
one
and
no
place
will
be
left
behind.
Meanwhile,
the
country
continues
to
enjoy
adequate
fuel
supplies,
benefiting
from
upgrading
of
the
pipeline
capacity
to
three
billion
litres
per
annum.
Pipeline
capacity
will
be
further
upgraded
to
handle
five
billion
litres
per
annum.
Infrastructure
upgrading
and
development
projects
are
steadily
progressing
through
innovative
funding
models
by
Treasury,
private
sector
financing
as
well
as
support
from
development
partners.
Completion,
rehabilitation
and
upgrading
of
the
Harare-Chirundu
Road;
Christmas
Pass
by-pass;
Bulawayo-Victoria
Falls
Road;
Chirundu
Border
Post;
and
Forbes
Border
Post,
remain
top
priority.
The
construction
of
other
road
infrastructure,
such
as
interchanges
at
strategic
points
in
our
cities,
are
on
the
cards,
with
the
Trabablas
Interchange
now
operational.
Notable
progress
has
been
registered
in
implementing
the
Zimbabwe
Integrated
Transport
Information
Management
System
Project,
which
includes
automating
services
at
the
Vehicle
Inspectorate
Department,
Central
Vehicle
Registry,
and
Road
Motor
Transportation.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir
and
Madam
President:
the
tight
monetary
and
fiscal
environment
in
the
economy
have
remained
favourable
to
support
sustained
economic
activity.
My
Government
is
diligently
implementing
the
necessary
policies,
measures
and
initiatives
to
maintain
currency
stability
of
the
ZiG
and
inflation.
Going
into
the
future,
the
trend
in
macro-economic
stability
is
expected
to
become
the
status
quo
in
our
country.
The
country’s
foreign
currency
generation
capacity
continues
to
strengthen.
Inflows
stood
at
USD10.4
billion
as
of
August
2025,
an
upward
increase
of
26.8%
from
the
USD8.3
billion
recorded
during
the
same
period
last
year.
Consequently,
foreign
currency
reserves
increased
to
about
USD900
million
as
at
the
end
of
September
2025,
up
from
USD700
million
in
June
2025.
In
recognition
of
this
effort,
the
World
Bank
recently
ranked
Zimbabwe
first
among
the
top
10
countries
in
the
world
that
have
made
significant
progress
in
foreign
currency
reserve
accumulation
–
hatina
influence
neWorld
Bank,
vakangozviona
voga.
On
the
fiscal
front,
I
am
pleased
to
advise
that
we
remain
steadfast
in
strengthening
sustainable
resource
mobilisation
strategies
to
ensure
provision
of
public
services.
Enhanced
fiscal
capacity
has
allowed
Government
to
extend
social
benefits
to
vulnerable
groups
under
Social
Protection
Programmes,
including
the
Food
Deficit
Mitigation
Programme,
the
Basic
Education
Assistance
Module
and
the
Vulnerable
Agriculture
Input
Scheme.
These
interventions
reflect
our
unwavering
commitment
to
building
a
comprehensive
and
resilient
social
protection
system
that
safeguards
women,
children,
persons
with
disabilities,
and
the
elderly,
among
others.
Our
health
sector
is
undergoing
a
significant
development
programme
focusing
on
strengthening
human
resources,
improving
health
financing,
and
modernising
infrastructure
and
technology.
These
efforts
aim
to
improve
healthcare
access
and
quality,
with
a
focus
on
maternal
and
child
health,
disease
prevention,
and
digital
health
integration.
Similarly,
in
the
education
sector,
key
initiatives
include
human
capital
development,
promoting
entrepreneurship,
creating
public-private
partnerships
for
infrastructure,
and
increasing
access
to
education
to
a
broader
array
of
our
students,
in
particular
the
vulnerable.
Furthermore,
my
Government
remains
committed
to
driving
innovation
for
national
growth
and
delivering
a
beneficial
knowledge
economy.
The
Digital
Ambassadors
Programme,
thus,
aims
to
equip
young
people
with
digital
skills
and
enhance
ICT
literacy.
It
is
worth
highlighting
that
my
Government
recently
adopted
the
Zimbabwe
National
Artificial
Intelligence
(AI)
Strategy,
designed
to
harness
the
economic
potential
of
AI,
while
mitigating
its
undesirable
impacts.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir
and
Madam
President:
several
new
laws
have
been
promulgated,
and
the
existing
ones
continue
to
be
amended
to
eliminate
gender
imbalances
and
promote
the
achievement
of
gender
equality.
This
should
see
increased
participation
of
women
across
value
chains.
So,
my
menfolk
should
not
complain
when
I
continue
to
promote
women.
The
launch
of
the
National
Youth
Empowerment
Strategy
2026-2030,
is
transformative
towards
harnessing
the
potential
of
our
young
people
in
national
development.
Additionally,
the
upgrade
of
vocational
training
centres
will
see
a
stronger
base
for
industrial
growth.
This
will
improve
quality,
relevance
and
inclusivity
of
the
vocational
skills
training
programmes.
My
Government
is
providing
welfare
services
to
Veterans
of
the
Liberation
Struggle,
Heroes’
Dependents
and
War
Victims,
as
well
as
empowering
and
mainstreaming
all
categories
of
Veterans
to
fully
participate
in
the
economy
and
guarantee
their
welfare.
In
that
regard,
the
Presidential
War
Veterans
Empowerment
Revolving
Fund;
the
Presidential
War
Veterans
Empowerment
Programme;
and
the
Presidential
Empowerment
Scheme
for
Children
of
Veterans
of
the
Liberation
Struggle
were
launched.
After
successful
implementation
of
the
Food
Deficit
Mitigation
Strategy
during
the
El-Nino-induced
drought
experienced
during
the
2023-2024
Summer
Cropping
Season,
Government
will
continue
with
the
programme
to
cater
for
food
insecure
households.
Our
ZANU
PF-led
Government
will
also
continue
with
harmonised
Social-Cash-Transfers
to
increase
the
purchasing
power
of
vulnerable
groups.
Regrettably,
the
scourge
of
drug
and
substance
abuse
remains
a
major
concern
to
all
communities
in
our
beloved
motherland,
Zimbabwe.
Comprehensive
and
all-encompassing
strategies
are
being
implemented
by
all
stakeholders
in
our
country
to
mitigate
the
negative
impact
of
this
menace.
We
commend
the
coming
on
board
of
more
civic
society
organisations,
including
the
Angel
of
Hope
Foundation,
and
the
private
sector
in
the
fight
against
drug
and
substance
abuse.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir
and
Madam
President:
Government
has
made
strides
in
upgrading
the
media
landscape
through
modernisation
of
the
Zimbabwe
Broadcasting
Corporation’s
Montrose
Studio
in
Bulawayo.
Additionally,
the
ZBC’s
Luzibo
Radio,
which
is
a
new
education
channel,
was
established
in
order
to
bring
educational
content
directly
to
learners
across
the
country
The
enactment
of
the
Broadcasting
Services
Amendment
Act
has
introduced
very
progressive
media
reforms,
which
broadened
the
scope
of
the
Act
to
encompass,
among
other
issues,
the
emerging
digital
broadcasting
services.
I
am
pleased
to
highlight
that
substantial
progress
has
been
recorded
in
the
implementation
of
the
Local
Government
blueprint
“Call
to
Action
–
No
Compromise
to
Service
Delivery.” All
Local
Authorities
have
developed
Master
Plans,
and
all
92
Councils
completed
Valuation
Rolls,
with
91
of
them
having
deployed
Enterprise
Resource
Planning
systems
to
modernise
their
operations.
Only
one
is
left.
In
response
to
climate
change,
my
Government
has
adopted
the
National
Climate
Change
Adaptation
Plan.
The
Carbon
Trading
Framework
and
Registry,
outlined
in
Statutory
Instrument
48
of
2025,
is
set
to
unlock
climate
finance
and
promote
mitigation
efforts
across
all
sectors.
Relatedly,
water
security
is
emerging
as
a
critical
challenge,
with
implications
for
energy
and
food
systems.
In
this
regard,
my
Government
is
scaling-up
integrated
water
resource
management
and
investments.
In
line
with
our
Engagement
and
Re-engagement
Programme,
my
Government
is
implementing
its
Policy
on
Foreign
Relations
and
International
Cooperation.
In
this
regard,
Zimbabwe
remains
committed
to
further
deepening
political,
economic,
educational,
scientific,
innovation
and
cultural
relations
with
all
countries
of
the
international
community.
We
are
pleased
to
have
won
the
bid
to
host
the
Continental
Headquarters
of
the
Intra-Africa
Trade
Fair
Company.
The
importance
of
timeous
discharge
of
legislative
duties
reposed
to
Parliament
cannot
be
over-emphasized.
Parliament
is
reminded
that
laws
passed
by
this
august
House
carry
the
aspirations
of
our
people
and
they
consist
of
synchro-policies
for
implementation
by
the
Executive.
It
is,
therefore,
critically
important
that
the
law
making
processes
be
expedited
for
the
efficient
operation
of
State
apparatus.
Collectively,
we
have
a
duty
to
sustain
the
prevailing
confidence
that
the
people
of
our
country
have
in
our
current
system.
Legislative
Programme
Allow
me
now
to
turn
to
the
legislative
programme
which
the
Third
Session
of
the
Tenth
Parliament
must
pursue
with
renew
vigour
and
focus.
The
outstanding
Bills
from
the
First
and
Second
Sessions
that
were
presented
to
Parliament
must
be
concluded.
These
include
the
following:
Occupational
Safety
and
Health
Bill;
Public
Service
Amendment
Bill;
State
Service
(Pensions)
Bill;
Pipelines
Amendment
Bill;
Persons
with
Disabilities
Bill;
Public
Procurement
and
Disposal
of
Public
Assets
Amendment
Bill;
Mines
and
Minerals
Bill;
Insurance
and
Pensions
Amendment
Bill;
and
Zimbabwe
School
Examinations
Council
Amendment
Bill.
Regrettably,
there
are
additional
Bills
that
I
announced
during
the
Official
Opening
of
the
Second
Session
of
the
Tenth
Parliament
of
Zimbabwe
that
have
not
been
presented
to
Parliament.
These
include
the
Teaching
Professions
Council
Bill;
Electronic
Transactions
and
Electronic
Commerce
Bill;
Standards
Bill;
Biological
Warfare
Bill;
Legal
Practitioners
Amendment
Bill
and
Rural
Electrification
Fund
Amendment
Bill,
among
others.
The
total
backlog
of
outstanding
Bills
is
unacceptable.
I
challenge
this
august
House
to
do
more
to
ensure
that
these
Bills
are
brought
before
Parliament
and
finalised.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir
and
Madam
President;
allow
me
to
now
outline
the
new
Bills
that
will
form
part
of
the
agenda
of
this
august
House
during
the
course
of
the
Third
Session
of
the
Tenth
Parliament
of
Zimbabwe.
With
regard
to
the
industry
and
commerce
sub-sectors,
the
National
Productivity
Institute
Bill
seeks
to
create
the
Zimbabwe
productivity
institute,
to
drive
increased
productivity
across
all
our
industries.
Amendments
will
be
made
to
foundational
laws,
including
the
Iron
and
Steel
Industry
Act
and
the
Sugar
Production
Control
Act.
To
further
protect
our
consumers
from
a
fast-changing
economic
environment,
amendments
to
the
Competition
Act
are
now
a
necessity.
Meanwhile,
Government
is
finalising
amendments
to
the
Commercial
Premises
(Lease
Control)
Act
to
create
fairness
in
the
commercial
rental
market.
Amendment
of
the
Research
Act
aims
at
establishing
a
deliberate
and
sustainable
framework
for
funding
research
to
facilitate
adequate
resources
for
research
institutions.
This
is
in
line
with
my
Administration’s
on-going
quest
to
promote
locally
developed
solutions
and
innovation,
while
reducing
dependence
on
imported
technologies.
In
the
higher
and
tertiary
education
sector,
Government
is
working
on
a
legislative
framework
for
the
accelerated
commercialisation
of
products
emanating
from
our
innovation
hubs.
A
notable
number
of
Bills
are
set
to
be
tabled
before
this
august
House
from
our
transport
sector
for
enactment
and
amendment.
Equally,
Bills
that
relate
to
the
devolution
and
decentralisation
agenda,
as
well
as
the
broader
local
governance
arena,
will
be
presented
before
this
esteemed
body.
To
mitigate
disaster
and
other
unforeseen
catastrophes,
the
Civil
Protection
Act
will
be
repealed
and
replaced
with
the
proposed
Disaster
Risk
Management
Bill.
Other
Bills
to
be
considered
include
the
Zimbabwe
Media
Commission
Amendment
Bill;
Meteorological
Services
Amendment
Bill;
Foreign
Affairs
and
International
Trade
Bill;
Sport,
Leisure
and
Recreation
Bill;
Sports
Integrity
Bill;
National
Languages
Bill;
as
well
as
amendments
to
the
Veterans
of
the
Liberation
Act;
National
Heroes
Act;
and
War
Victims
Compensation
Act.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir
and
Madam
President; the
Police
Amendment
Bill,
which
lapsed
with
the
dissolution
of
the
Ninth
Parliament,
should
be
re-introduced
in
this
Session.
To
consolidate
the
management
and
administration
of
aspects
relating
to
our
Home
Affairs,
the
following
laws
should
be
considered
for
amendment:
the
Unlawful
Organisations
Act;
Official
Secrets
Act;
National
Archives
of
Zimbabwe
Act;
the
Censorship
and
Entertainments
Control
Act,
Lotteries
and
Gaming
Act;
the
Citizenship
Act;
and
the
Private
Investigators
and
Security
Guards
(Control)
Act.
In
line
with
the
Constitutional
mandate
of
safeguarding
the
country’s
Independence,
sovereignty,
territorial
integrity,
national
interest
and
contribution
to
international
peace
and
security,
the
Ministry
of
Defence
will
be
required
to
table
the
Treaty
on
the
Prohibition
of
Nuclear
Weapons
and
the
Arms
Trade
Treaty
as
well
as
The
Red
Cross
Amendment
Bill
and
the
Defence
Amendment
Bill.
The
following
Protocols,
Treaties
and
Agreements
will
be
brought
for
ratification:
Protocol
Amending
the
Trade-Related
Aspects
of
Intellectual
Property
Rights
Amendment
Protocol
of
2005;
Lisbon
Treaty
to
the
Geneva
Act
of
the
Lisbon
Agreement
on
Appellations
of
Origin
and
Geographical
Indications;
and
the
Hague
Agreement
Concerning
the
International
Registration
of
Industrial
Designs.
The
Protocol
Against
the
Smuggling
of
Migrants
by
land,
sea
and
air;
as
well
as
the
Protocol
on
the
Trafficking
of
Firearms,
their
Parts,
Components
and
Ammunition,
will
be
tabled
during
this
Session
of
Parliament.
Mr.
Speaker
Sir
and
Madam
President:
as
I
conclude,
may
I
pay
special
tribute
to
the
Honourable
Members
of
Parliament.
Your
tireless,
individual
and
collective
efforts,
towards
advancing
the
development
and
prosperity
of
our
great
motherland,
Zimbabwe
is
commended.
Through
your
wholehearted
service
and
representation
of
the
grass-roots
communities,
you
all
continue
to
consolidate
our
people-centred
and
participatory
governance.
As
we
keep
marching
towards
Vision
2030,
let
us
remain
close
to
the
people,
in
good
times
and
throughout
the
seasons
of
challenges.
We
should
never
get
tired
of
preaching
hope,
unity
and
peace,
as
one
indivisible
nation.
Be
assured
that
a
better
quality
of
life
for
all
the
people
of
our
country,
is
at
the
core
of
the
policies
and
projects
of
my
Administration.
No
one
and
no
place
will
be
left
behind.
As
we
approach
the
summer
cropping
season,
I
urge
Hon.
Members
of
Parliament
to
continually
lead
from
the
front
and
encourage
increased
production
and
productivity
across
all
our
communities.
Together,
we
must
guarantee
adequate
preparations
for
this
agriculture
season
and
yet
another
bumper
harvest
for
our
nation.
The
guiding
beacon
remains
our
shared
national
development
philosophy,
Nyika
inovakwa,
igotongwa,
igonamatirwa
nevene
vayo/Ilizwe
lakhiwa,
libuswe,
likhulekelwe
ngabanikazi
balo.
We
the
people
of
this
great
nation
are
building
our
motherland,
Zimbabwe,
step
by
step,
brick
by
brick
and
stone
upon
stone.
There
is
no
turning
back.
Victory,
success
and
prosperity
are
certain.
Forward
ever,
backward
never!
With
these
remarks,
it
is
now
my
singular
honour
and
privilege
to
table
this
State
of
the
Nation
Address
before
the
august
House.
I
equally
declare
the
Third
Session
of
the
Tenth
Parliament
of
Zimbabwe
officially
open.
God
bless
you
all.
God
bless
Zimbabwe.
I
thank
you.
Veritas
makes
every
effort
to
ensure
reliable
information,
but
cannot
take
legal
responsibility
for
information
supplied.
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